JP2017535480A - Enhanced car door against side collision - Google Patents

Abstract

A car door for use in a car body with a rocker (20) is described. The car door includes an inner door panel (11) and an outer door panel (13), the door further such that when the door is attached to the vehicle body, the reinforcing element (12) is at the height of the rocker (20), and When the door is subjected to a side collision, the reinforcing element integral with the inner door panel comprises a reinforcing element (12) arranged in the lower part of the door so as to be supported by the car rocker. The reinforcing element (12) is a U-shaped bracket extending from the inner door panel (11) to the outer door panel (13), and the U-shaped bracket (12) is disposed on the open side facing the inner panel. The disclosure further relates to a vehicle having a rocker and a vehicle body with such a door.

Description

  This application claims the benefit of European Patent Application 14382481.1 filed on November 27, 2014.

  The present disclosure relates to reinforced car doors and further to cars such as automobiles and trucks comprising such doors.

  For example, a car such as an automobile embodies a framework of a structure designed to withstand all loads that the car may experience during its lifetime. The skeleton of the structure is further designed to withstand and absorb impacts, for example in the event of a collision with another vehicle.

  In this sense, the skeleton of the vehicle structure may include, for example, bumpers and pillars (A pillars, B pillars, C pillars), side impact beams, rockers, and shock absorbers. These parts may include, for example, beams and additional plates around such beams.

  In particular, many car doors are equipped with side impact beams to reduce door entry into the car. Side impact beams are attached to most cars and other ground vehicles and are passive safety devices that protect passengers from side collisions. The term “passive safety” is used herein to refer to car parts (mainly airbags, seat belts, and car physical structures) that serve to protect occupants during a collision.

  Due to the design of car doors, side impacts are particularly relevant for two reasons. a) The location of the impact is very close to the passenger, who can immediately reach the collision car or the deformed parts of the car. b) In many side impact accidents, the collision vehicle may be larger, taller, heavier and structurally stiffer than the bumped vehicle. The skeleton of the door structure therefore needs to absorb, in part, the kinetic energy of the collision vehicle that is converted into the internal work of the members involved in the collision. The side impact beam described above is usually used for this purpose.

  In order to increase the strength of the door against side impacts, it is known to increase the thickness of the material to be formed, for example by adding side impact beams and / or inner door panels or even further side impact beams. However, this may cause a significant increase in weight and hence an increase in cost.

  A car door typically includes an inner door panel (on the passenger side), an outer door panel, and a side impact beam between the inner door panel and the outer door panel. However, typically there is not much available space between the inner and outer door panels. In that sense, the side impact beam cannot be installed at an arbitrary height. Furthermore, the side impact beam usually extends from the front end of the door to the rear end of the door in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and therefore has a considerable length. This may cause high bending loads, especially in the central part of the side impact beam. In order to avoid these bending loads, it is known to provide a support member (foam or steel bracket) between the side impact beam and the inner door panel. JP 10-95231 describes such a system. Further improvements are desirable.

JP-A-10-95231

  The present disclosure provides an alternative enhanced ground vehicle door that can increase passenger safety in the event of a side impact with the relatively small weight penalty.

  In a first aspect, a vehicle door for use in a vehicle body with a rocker is provided. The car door is an integral part of the inner door panel, the outer door panel and the reinforcing element that is integral with the inner door panel when the reinforcing element is at the height of the rocker when the door is attached to the vehicle body and when the door receives a side collision. Comprises a reinforcing element arranged in the lower part of the door to be supported by the car rocker.

  This aspect enhances the safety of the vehicle occupant by providing a strengthening element inside the door (between the inner and outer door panels) arranged to be supported by the car rocker in case of a side collision To do. A car rocker may be considered a very rigid beam. The structural element (rocker) of the car body is therefore used to support the strengthening element. The strengthening element can therefore be deformed and can absorb at least part of the kinetic energy involved in the collision, thus avoiding the danger of the door entering the car body (passenger compartment) At least substantially reduce. Further, since the car rocker extends in the long side direction along the length of the vehicle body, moving the collision kinetic energy to the rocker further includes the distribution of the collision load of the entire vehicle body.

  In some embodiments, the reinforcing element may extend from the inner door panel to the outer door panel. The aspect of providing full extension from the inner door panel to the outer door panel improves the proportion of material used / impact absorption.

  The inventor can relatively increase the door weight (considering only the steel part) and increase the energy absorption of the door considerably in the so-called pole side impact test and the so-called FMVSS 214S test. I found something I could do. At the same time, the entry of doors into the occupant's compartment was reduced.

  Furthermore, the door outcome previously described here is that the strengthening elements are usually provided in the part of the door that is empty, and therefore takes advantage of the door space that is usually not used at all. Furthermore, and from a manufacturing point of view, for example, when it does not include special calculations to determine the height at which the reinforcing element is installed, it is relatively simple to assemble the reinforcing element into two door panels at its lower part .

  Throughout this specification and claims, a vehicle is to be understood as an automobile, truck, or other ground vehicle having a body with a rocker.

  In some embodiments, the reinforcing element may have a lower end, the inner door panel may comprise a substantially vertical lower portion, and the reinforcing element is substantially at its lower end. Alternatively, it may be fixed to a vertically low part. In an alternative embodiment, the outer door panel may comprise a substantially vertical lower portion and the reinforcing element may be secured to this substantially vertical lower portion. In still further embodiments, both the inner and outer door panels may comprise a substantially vertical lower portion and the reinforcing element may be secured to both vertical portions. This enhances the secure anchoring of the reinforcing element so that it is easy to weld, bond or screw the reinforcing element to a straight surface rather than a curved surface. Furthermore, it provides a more durable bond so that it does not have to work in shear, and as a result, the wear of the bond is at least partially reduced.

  In some embodiments, the reinforcing element may be a reinforcing bracket. In some of these cases, it may be a folded sheet of metal, for example a steel sheet. Further, in an embodiment, a U-shaped bracket may be expected.

  In some of these embodiments, the U-shaped bracket may extend from the inner door panel to the outer door panel, and may be disposed on the open side facing the inner door panel. By extending the bracket completely from the inner door panel to the outer door panel, the percentage of material used / impact absorption is improved.

  Furthermore, if the open side of the U-shaped bracket faces the inner door panel, this means that the base wall of the bracket faces the outer door panel. The base wall of the bracket therefore extends along a direction substantially parallel to the outer door panel and is subjected to such an impact. The sidewall (arranged in the same direction as the direction of impact) absorbs kinetic energy contained in the impact. This enhances shock absorption along the length of the sidewall, along the surface of the base wall and along the absorption of kinetic energy, ie in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

  Throughout this disclosure, a U-shaped bracket is understood as a bracket having a substantially U-shaped cross section. Preferably, the bracket has a base wall extending from the front end to the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the length of the car, and a laterally facing side wall extending away from the front and rear ends of the base wall, respectively. Provide a set. The laterally opposed sidewalls define an opening (open side) that faces the base wall.

  According to this, providing a U-shaped bracket inside the lower part of the door, extending from the inner to the outer door panel, and arranged in a case of a side collision to be supported by the car rocker, Enhance the safety of occupants.

  In some embodiments, the U-shaped bracket comprises laterally opposed sidewall ends configured to be supported by the inner door panel. In these cases, a mounting flange may be provided. This increases the support area facing the inner door panel and thus enhances the pressure distribution in the inner door panel.

  In some of these embodiments, the reinforcing element may comprise one or more portions in a plane that is horizontal to the inner and / or outer door panels. These horizontal plane parts traverse the longitudinal direction of the car, i.e. they traverse, for example, the rocker and therefore act directly on lateral impacts. The substantially horizontal portion may therefore absorb the deforming energy when buckled.

  In another aspect, a vehicle having a door substantially as previously described herein is provided. In particular, it is a car with a car body with a rocker in which a door is attached to the car body so that the reinforcing element is at the height of the rocker.

  In some embodiments, a car rocker includes an inner shell and an outer shell that define a space therebetween. The inner rocker shell and the outer rocker shell may be joined to at least the uppermost flange. In some of these cases, the reinforcing element is at the height of the rocker and thus can be supported by the rocker (along with the lower part of the inner door panel) in case of a side impact, It may be at least partially disposed below the top flange. In an alternative embodiment, the car rocker may be a single piece having at least a top flange. Even in these cases, the reinforcing element may be arranged at least partially under the top flange.

  In those embodiments, the reinforcing element may comprise one or more portions in a horizontal plane relative to the inner and / or outer door panels, the first horizontal plane portion being the inner and outer shells of the rocker. It may be suitably provided under the top flange to be joined.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of a part of a car according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a side view of a part of a car according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a different embodiment of the reinforcing element of FIG. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a different embodiment of the reinforcing element of FIG. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a different embodiment of the reinforcing element of FIG. FIG. 4 shows a side view of a portion of a vehicle according to another embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view according to another embodiment. Fig. 6 shows a perspective overview of an embodiment of a U-shaped bracket or part of a bracket similar to those of Fig. 4 or 5b. Fig. 6 shows a perspective overview of an embodiment of a U-shaped bracket or part of a bracket similar to those of Fig. 4 or 5b. Fig. 6 shows a perspective overview of an embodiment of a U-shaped bracket or part of a bracket similar to those of Fig. 4 or 5b. Fig. 6 shows a perspective overview of an embodiment of a U-shaped bracket or part of a bracket similar to those of Fig. 4 or 5b. FIG. 5c shows a perspective and open view of a portion of the lower portion of a car door with a U-shaped bracket like that of FIG. 5c. Fig. 4 shows a side view of a part of a vehicle according to a further embodiment.

  Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

  It should be noted that the car door described here can correspond to the front or rear door of any ground vehicle.

  Throughout the following figure, the same symbols will be used for matching parts.

  1a and 1b show a side view of a part of a ground vehicle according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 a shows a part of a car door 10 and a car rocker 20. FIG. 1b shows the inner door panel 11 of the car door 10 of FIG. 1a. The door 10 may be attached to a vehicle body (not shown) provided with the rocker 20. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the door 10 may be attached to the vehicle body and the lower portion 10 a of the door may have a shape complementary to the shape of the rocker 20.

  The door 10 may include an outer panel (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) and an inner panel 11. FIG. 1 b further shows that the reinforcing element 12 may be arranged on the inner door panel 11 in the lower part 10 a of the door, which may be at the height of the rocker 20. FIG. 1 b further shows that the reinforcing element 12 may extend along a third portion approximately in the rear of the inner door panel 11. In the so-called pole side impact test diagram, the arrangement of the reinforcing elements can be conveniently at the rear of the door, ie close to the B pillar in the case of the front door.

  The inventor has found that a reinforcing element having a length that substantially matches the length of the rear third portion of the inner door panel provides a good balance between energy absorption and weight gain. . Depending on the circumstances, the reinforcing element may have a length of about 33% to about 5% of the rear of the door length.

  In an alternative embodiment, the reinforcing elements may be provided along different lengths or even full lengths L of the inner door panel. In further embodiments, two or more reinforcing elements may be provided (see FIG. 6). In further embodiments, the reinforcing element may be disposed on the outer door panel, and may be secured to either the inner or outer door panel, or both the inner and outer panels.

  In the enlarged detail of FIG. 1b, the reinforcing element 12 may be a bracket, for example a metal sheet bracket, in particular a steel bracket. In some cases, the bracket may be a folded metal sheet or plate. In these cases, the bracket may be fixed to either the inner and / or outer panel by welding. In some embodiments, the welding may comprise spot welding. Embodiments using spot welding provide a lot of energy to the spot in a very short time, and therefore welding can occur without the remaining excessive heating of the outer and / or inner door panels. The bracket may include one or more horizontal planar portions 121 relative to the inner or outer door panel. These horizontal parts are provided sideways with respect to the rocker and therefore act directly on the side impacts in the sense of mitigating the kinetic energy of the collision. In alternative embodiments, other types of welding, such as laser welding or remote laser welding, which may be particularly appropriate when, for example, there is not much space available to perform the welding process, are predicted. May be.

  FIG. 1 b further shows that the side impact beam 14 may be further fixed to the inner door panel, in particular the front 111 and rear 112 ends of the inner door panel. The side impact beam 14 may extend substantially from the front end 111 to the rear end 112 of the inner door panel 11 having a lower height H2 that is higher than the height H1 of the upper portion of the reinforcing element 12, and therefore Do not touch the reinforcing element in case of a side impact. In alternative embodiments, other side impact beam placements may be predicted and they may be provided substantially horizontally. As further shown in FIG. 1b, the side impact beam may be secured to the end of the inner door panel (eg, by screws). In an alternative embodiment, the side impact beam may be secured to the outer door panel.

  FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1b. The car door 10 may be attached to a vehicle body including the rocker 20. The door 10 may include a reinforcing element that may be an inner door panel 11, an outer door panel 13, and a folded metal sheet bracket 12, for example. The bracket 12 may extend completely between the inner 11 and outer 13 door panels. When the door is attached to the vehicle body, the bracket 12 is provided so that the bracket 12 is integrated with the lower portion of the inner door panel 11 so that the bracket 12 is at the height of the rocker 20 and a side collision is received by the door. It is further arranged in the lower part 10a of the door to be supported by the rocker 20.

  The reinforced bracket 12 may have a low end 123 and the inner door panel may include a substantially vertical low portion 113. The reinforcing bracket 12 may therefore be secured at its lower end 123 to a substantially vertical lower portion 113. This ensures that the reinforcing element is fixed so that it is easy to fix the element (by welding, adhesively or with screws) to a straight surface rather than a curved surface. In an alternative embodiment, the upper end 124 may be further secured to a substantially vertical portion of the inner door panel. Further alternatively, the upper and / or lower ends of the brackets may be secured to the outer door panel, or they may be secured to both the inner and outer door panels at their substantially vertical portions. .

  In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the bracket 12 may comprise one or more horizontal planar portions 121 that may be substantially horizontal to the inner 11 and / or outer 13 door panels. In an alternative embodiment, the bracket may be a corrugated metal sheet that substantially completely fills the lower portion of the door space between the inner and outer door panels. In some embodiments, the bracket may be made of steel.

  FIG. 2 further shows that the rocker 20 may include an inner shell 22 and an outer shell 21 that define a space therebetween. The inner rocker shell 22 and the outer rocker shell 21 are at least joined to the top flange 23. In some cases, a bottom flange 24 may also be provided. According to this embodiment, the bracket 12 may be secured to the inner door panel 11 at its lower portion so that the horizontal planar portion 121 can be positioned under the top flange 23. In this manner, the bracket 12 integrated with the lower portion of the inner door panel 11 can be supported by the rocker 20 in the case of a side collision.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the door 10 further has an outer door panel at a height higher than the reinforced bracket 12 so that the side impact beam 14 does not contact the reinforced bracket 12 when the door 10 receives a side collision. There may be provided a side impact beam that can be placed closer to. In an alternative embodiment, the side impact beam may be located near the inner door panel and secured to the inner door panel. In a further embodiment, a soothing element is provided between the side impact beam and either the inner and / or outer door panel.

  FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a car door 10 ′ attached to a vehicle body with a rocker 20 according to another embodiment. The embodiment of FIG. 3 differs from that of FIG. 2 in that the reinforcing element may comprise a foam block 12 '. In these embodiments, the foam block 12 'may substantially completely fill the space in the lower portion 10a of the door between the inner 11 and outer 13 door panels. In these embodiments, most of the side 122 'of the foam block 12' facing the inner door panel 11 may be provided under the top flange 23 of the rocker. Thus, the foam block 12 'integral with the lower portion of the inner door panel 11 can be supported by the rocker 20 in the event of a side impact.

  FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a car door 10 ″ attached to a vehicle body with a rocker 20 according to a further embodiment. The embodiment of FIG. 4 differs from that of FIGS. 2 and 3 in that the reinforcing element may be a U-shaped bracket 12 ″, eg, a bracket having a U-shaped horizontal cross section. The open side 122 ″ of the U-shaped bracket 12 ″ may be arranged facing the inner door panel 11. The outer shape of the open side 122 ″ may have a shape complementary to the shape of the outer shell 21 of the rocker. In this embodiment, the U-shaped bracket 12 '' is substantially as described in connection with FIG. 1b, i.e. in line with the rear third part which is the length of the inner door panel, Be placed.

  5a and 5b show a side view of a portion of a ground vehicle according to another embodiment and a cross-sectional view along line AA in FIG. 5a, respectively. The embodiment of FIGS. 5a and 5b differs from that of FIGS. 1b, 2 and 3 in the type of reinforcing element used. Furthermore, the arrangement of the reinforcing elements along the longitudinal length L of the door 10 "" differs from the embodiment of FIG. In this example, the reinforcing element can be arranged substantially in the middle of the door length L in the so-called “FMVSS 214S test” diagram, substantially as described in connection with FIG. It may also be a U-shaped bracket 12 '' '. In particular, steel brackets may be expected. The U-shaped bracket 12 ′ ″ is substantially the same in shape as that of the embodiment of FIG. 4, ie, has an open side 122 ′ ″ disposed facing the inner door panel 11 and has an outer The appearance of the shape complementary to the shape of the rocker shell. The U-shaped bracket 12 '' 'of this embodiment, however, may have a higher sidewall than that of the embodiment of FIG. 4 and under the "FMVSS 214S test" that simulates a strict right angle collision, It may be elongated (shorter in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body) than the bracket of the embodiment of FIG. 4 for ensuring the protection of the occupant. Depending on the circumstances, the U-shaped bracket 12 '' 'of this embodiment may have a length of about 5% to 15% of the length of the door and, as previously mentioned, substantially centered. Can be arranged.

  The embodiment of FIG. 5 c shows a U-shaped bracket 30 that may comprise a set of sidewalls 32 laterally opposite the base wall 31. The base wall 31 may extend from the front end 311 to the rear end 312 and, in use, may extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The sidewall 32 may extend substantially vertically from the base wall edges 311, 312. The sidewall 32 may define an opening / opening side 33 that faces the base wall 31.

  FIG. 5d shows a mounting flange 34 that may be secured to the free end of the U-shaped bracket sidewall 32 (defining the opening / open side). 5e and 5f, FIG. 5e is shown from the base wall 31 side, and FIG. 5f is shown from the mounting flange 34 side. The free end 321 of the sidewall 32 may face the base wall 31.

  As further shown in FIG. 5 d, the mounting flange 34 may have a shape that is complementary to the appearance of the free end 321 of the sidewall 32. As shown in FIGS. 5e and 5f, the mounting flange 34 may be secured to the free end 321 of the sidewall 32, for example by welding. Alternatively, the mounting flange may be made by folding away the free end 321 of the sidewall 32 outward, i.e. not towards the open side (opening).

  In some embodiments, the U-shaped bracket may be made, for example, by cold stamping. The mounting flange may also be made, for example, by cold forming. Other known forming or stamping methods for manufacturing brackets and bracket parts may also be envisaged.

  In all cases, the U-shaped bracket may be made from a metal plate with a thickness ranging from about 0.4 mm to about 1 mm.

  In some embodiments, the base wall 31 may have a length in the longitudinal direction of the door (eg, see L in FIG. 5a) that can range from about 50 mm to about 200 mm. The sidewall 32 may have a height that can range from about 100 mm to about 200 mm and a lateral length of the vehicle that can range from about 50 mm to about 180 mm.

  In an embodiment, a U-shaped bracket as shown in FIG. 5e may be made from a metal plate that can have a thickness of about 0.6 mm. In this example, the base wall may have a length that extends in the longitudinal direction of the car from upstream or front end to downstream or rear end of about 100 mm, and the sidewall has a maximum length of about 105 mm. (In the lateral direction of the car) and may have a height of about 120 mm.

  The embodiment of FIG. 5g shows an open perspective of a portion of the lower portion of the vehicle integral with the U-shaped bracket of the embodiment of FIG. 5c. In this embodiment, the U-shaped bracket may extend completely from the inner door panel 110 to the outer door panel 140. The base wall of the bracket may be supported by the outer door panel 140, and the free end of the sidewall 32 (or the mounting flange in those embodiments having a mounting flange) may be supported by the inner door panel 110. Good.

  In some embodiments, any of these brackets is centered substantially along the length of the door, so to speak, as shown in connection with bracket 12 '' 'in the embodiment of FIG. 5a. Is done.

  FIG. 6 shows a side view of a part of a ground vehicle according to a further embodiment. The door 10 "" "in the embodiment of FIG. 6 may comprise an inner door panel provided with two reinforcing elements. Provided in the third rear as described in connection with FIG. 1b and described in connection with the folded metal bracket 12 as described in connection with FIGS. 1b and 2 or FIGS. A first reinforcement element, which may be any of the alternative reinforcements 12'12 '', and substantially centrally along the length of the door as described in connection with FIGS. 5a and 5b FIG. 5 is a second reinforcing element that may be a U-shaped bracket 12 ′ ″ as provided and described in FIGS. 5a and 5b.

  For reasons of completeness, the various aspects of the disclosure are listed in the following number of clauses.

Item 1. A car door for use in a vehicle body equipped with a rocker, the car door comprising an inner door panel and an outer door panel,
The door is further supported by the car rocker when the door is attached to the car body, so that the reinforcing element is at the height of the rocker and when the side impact is received by the door, the reinforcing element integral with the inner door panel is supported. A door with reinforcing elements arranged in the lower part of the door.

Item 2. The vehicle door of item 1, wherein the reinforcing element is fixed at least to the inner door panel.

Item 3. The reinforcing element is a car door of item 1 or item 2 extending from the inner door panel to the outer door panel.

Item 4. The reinforcing element has a low end, the inner door panel comprises a substantially vertical low part, and the reinforcing element is fixed at its low end to a substantially vertical low part. 3 any car door.

Item 5. The car door of any of items 1 to 4, wherein the reinforcing element comprises a foam block.

Item 6. The vehicle door according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the reinforcing element is a reinforcing bracket.

Item 7. The reinforcement element is a car door according to item 6, which is a folded metal sheet.

Item 8. The car door of item 7, wherein the reinforcing element comprises a plurality of folded points, at least one of which is a corrugated metal sheet that extends substantially completely from the inner door panel to the outer door panel.

Item 9. 9. The car door of any of items 6-8, wherein the reinforcing element comprises one or more portions in a substantially horizontal plane.

Item 10. The vehicle door of item 6, wherein the reinforcing element comprises a bracket having a U-shaped horizontal cross section disposed on the open side facing the inner door panel.

Item 11. Car door according to any of items 1 to 10, wherein the reinforcing element is arranged in a substantially third rear third part in the longitudinal direction of the inner and / or outer door panel.

Item 12. Two or more reinforcing elements fixed to the inner door panel and / or the outer door panel, the first reinforcing element being a substantially third rear third part of the longitudinal length of the inner and / or outer door panel And the second reinforcing element is disposed substantially in the center of the inner and / or outer door panel.

Item 13. In addition, it has a side impact beam that extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the car, and the side impact beam has a height different from that of the reinforcing element so that the side impact beam does not contact the reinforcing element when subjected to a side impact on the door. The door of any one of the items 1 to 12, arranged in

Item 14. A vehicle having any one of items 1 to 13 and a vehicle body provided with a rocker, wherein the door is attached to the vehicle body such that the reinforcing element is at the height of the rocker.

Item 15. The rocker comprises an inner shell and an outer shell defining a space between them, the inner and outer rocker shells being joined at least at the top flange, and the reinforcing element at least under the top flange. The vehicle according to claim 14, which is partially arranged.

  Although only a number of embodiments have been described herein, other variations, modifications, uses, and / or equivalents are possible. Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described embodiments are also encompassed. The scope of the disclosure is therefore not limited by the specific examples, but should be determined only by a fair interpretation of the claims that follow.

Claims (15)

A vehicle door for use in a vehicle body provided with a rocker, the vehicle door comprising an inner door panel and an outer door panel,
The door further includes the reinforcing element integral with the inner door panel when the door is attached to the vehicle body so that the reinforcing element is at the height of the rocker and when the door receives a side collision. A reinforcing element arranged in the lower part of the door to be supported by the car rocker,
The reinforcing element is a car door that is a U-shaped bracket that extends from the inner door panel to the outer door panel and is disposed on the open side facing the inner door panel.   The vehicle door according to claim 1, wherein the U-shaped bracket is fixed to at least the inner door panel.   The vehicle door according to claim 1, wherein the U-shaped bracket is made by cold stamping.   The U-shaped bracket includes a base wall and a set of laterally opposed side walls extending from the base wall, the base wall supported by the outer door panel, extending in the length direction of the door, and the side wall 4. A vehicle door according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a set of walls extends substantially perpendicular to the base wall and defines an open side of the bracket facing the inner door panel.   5. The vehicle door according to claim 4, wherein an end portion of the side wall facing the base wall includes a mounting flange.   The vehicle door according to claim 5, wherein the mounting flange is formed by folding an end of the sidewall facing the base wall outward.   The vehicle door according to claim 5, wherein the mounting flange is made by cold stamping and is fixed to an end portion of the sidewall facing the base wall.   The U-shaped bracket has a vertical lower portion, the inner door panel includes a substantially vertical lower portion, and the bracket is fixed to the substantially vertical lower portion at the vertical lower portion. The vehicle door according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   9. The base wall according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the base wall has a length of about 5% to 15% of the length of the door, and the U-shaped bracket is disposed substantially in the middle of the length of the door. A car door according to claim 1.   10. A car door according to claim 9, wherein the U-shaped bracket is arranged substantially in the middle of about 35% -65% of the length of the door, in particular around 45% -55%.   The base wall has a length in the longitudinal direction of the door ranging from 50 to 200 mm, and the sidewall has a height ranging from 100 to 200 mm and a vehicle ranging from 50 to 180 mm. The vehicle door according to claim 9 or 10, which has a length in the lateral direction. Further comprising a reinforcing element fixed to the inner door panel and / or the outer door panel,
12. The further reinforcing element is arranged in a substantially third rear third part substantially in the longitudinal length of the inner and / or outer door panel. Car door as described in.   The side impact beam further includes a side impact beam extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The vehicle door according to any one of claims 9 to 12, which is arranged at a height different from that of the character bracket.   14. A vehicle having a vehicle body comprising the door and a rocker according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the door is attached to the vehicle body such that an element of the U-shaped bracket is at the height of the rocker. car.   The rocker includes an inner shell and an outer shell defining a space therebetween, the inner and outer rocker shells being joined at least at the uppermost flange, and the U-shaped bracket is at least at the uppermost flange. 15. A vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the vehicle is partially disposed under the flange.

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